On Saturday 28 October, we attended the unveiling of a Battersea blue plaque at 28 Lavender Sweep in honour of Tom Taylor and Laura Barker.
Tom Taylor (1817 – 1880) was an English dramatist, critic, biographer, public servant, and editor of Punch magazine.
Laura Barker (1819-1905) was a renowned composer and musician, who lived at the property with her husband Tom Taylor from 1858 until he died in 1880.
Both Laura and Tom held regular Sunday musical soirees, and celebrities at the time such as Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens would attend.
The Battersea Society consists of local and former residents, businesses, and even visitors who fell in love with a vibrant part of Southwest London. They are committed to honouring Battersea’s rich heritage and ensuring the community is at the heart of development across the historic borough.
The unveiling was attended by Wandle’s Chief Executive, Anne Waterhouse, and the Worshipful Mayor Sana Jafri, who both said a few words about the importance of acknowledging our local history and the importance of art and culture.
Anne Waterhouse, Chief Executive of Wandle said, “It is an honour for a Wandle to be a part of this event. The boroughs we work in have a rich history, and it is fascinating to learn about Tom Taylor and Laura Barker. Thank you to The Battersea Society for their commitment to honouring the history of this historic borough.”
Emma Anthony from the Wandsworth Heritage Service read the poem Lavender Sweep by John Betjeman, and renowned actor Alun Armstrong enacted an excerpt from Still Waters Run Deep.
Relatives of Tom Taylor and Laura Barker attended, with Rupert Stutchbury actor and great, great-grandson of Tom Taylor reading an excerpt from In Memoriam to Abraham Lincoln
*Photography was taken and is owned by Chrysoulla Photography.
